Microtese means Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) hence it is a word used to describe the extraction part.
Here in the UK the success rate for pregnancies from Microtese in Klinefelter Syndrome is still very low.
Most men with KS that are considering it are told by the specialist that the likelihood of success is very low.
It may be different where you live. I would advise you to have a careful conversation with your consultant and check the validity of any data you are given, in particular, what language is used:
For example if you ask the question: “What is the percentage success rate of Microtese?” sometimes a higher percentage is given because what they are answering is for ALL cases of Microtese.
Our question relates specifically to men with Klinefelter Syndrome & azoospermia.
Another important question is “How many of the people that had ‘successful Microtese’ went on to have a successful pregnancy with sperm extracted through Microtese?”
In the world of some clinicians the definition of successful Microtese is successfully extracting viable sperm.
So when professionals are quoting successful cases of Microtese, are they talking about successful pregnancies or successfully harvesting sperm.
They are two linked but separate issues.
I have discussed this with professionals and what I have described above is recognised as being a misleading issue.
I describe it in this article which is in a resource managed by clinical fertility specialists.
In my experience clinicians can be very clinical; Microtese means Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) hence it is a word used to describe the extraction part.
It seems ridiculously simple but what is actually said and what we hear is important.
The key question is:
What is the likelihood of having a baby from a man with Klinefelter Syndrome using Microtese to extract sperm?
As opposed to:
What is the success rate of Microtese.
The latter question could genuinely be answered as x% of patients were successful in extracting sperm. But they didn’t all lead to pregnancies.
A commonly used term is ‘live births’ which sounds rather clinical however does leave no room for confusion.
With this in mind another way of phrasing the question is:
What is the success rate for successful live births from Microtese in men with Klinefelter Syndrome?
In 2009 I had the TESE version that was available before the more advanced microTESE was available in the UK. Mine was unsuccessful.
In addition to any pain caused by the operation and recovery, one must consider also the psychological impact. I feel that this is sometimes overlooked until it is too late. I’m happy to expand on this or any other angles if you wish.
The situation now in the UK is that whilst support is available via the national health service, often patients have to pay for the male pro-fertility drugs (hormonal manipulation with stimulatory drugs)
e.g. Clomid which can cost thousands and does not guarantee success.
In some cases these drugs can be funded.
In England funding for fertility therapy will depend on your Care Commissioning Group (CCG).
You may find this website useful and you could even consider using this clinic. I am involved as an unpaid volunteer. It is free to patients in the U.K.
There is growing evidence that the likelihood of successfully harvesting sperm in Klinefelter Syndrome males is at an early age. Quite what that earlier age is, is not clearly described however some professionals have indicated in young men up to their early 20’s. (See the ‘treatments’ section of the Klinefelter Syndrome clinic website quoted above).
There have been some successful cases in older Klinefelter Syndrome men and they are discussed in some Facebook groups.
The situation is constantly evolving, and I look forward with hope to a time when we can have greater confidence in the success rates.
I always say it is up to the patient/couple to gather information and make their own informed decision on how to proceed. Best of luck to all.
